Around the world, resurgent retail is inspiring the industry with creativity and challenging traditional ways of doing business. The store is evolving into a fluid idea that fits the mobile, global customer in search of new experiences to share.

Human resources solution firm Assess Systems said Thursday that A|X Armani Exchange has chosen Assess to provide pre-employment testing of all stock and sales associates for both the retailer’s Canadian and U.S. operations.

Oakland Mall is using social networking as a tool to get shoppers involved this Mother's Day to benefit Moms at Detroit Rescue Mission Ministries (DRMM), a non-profit agency dedicated to assisting the homeless and getting them back on their feet.

From where I sit, I’ve noticed a certain “buzz” of optimism in our industry -- frustrations and anxieties from a tough couple of years seem to be giving way to increasingly sunny retail sales forecasts. Is this sudden sense of optimism justified by cold, hard facts? Or, is this increasing sense of optimism somewhat irrational?

Solutions Spotlight

The responsibilities of the retail CIO can essentially be boiled down to four major roles: Business Transformer, Customer Expert and Advocate, Technology Visionary and Culture Warrior. In this e-book, Oracle chief communications officer Bob Evans examines how great retail CIOs rise to challenges of fulfilling each role, even as they inevitably gravitate toward one role over the others.